The transfer window is slowly starting to hot up and Bristol City are braced for further interest in one of their key players.

Bristol Live has been told that Fulham want to bring in a left-back and are targeting a Championship full-back to reinforce their squad for their return to the Premier League.

That man is Joe Bryan, according to multiple sources.

The Cottagers will have plenty of money to spend after promotion and even though they may have to reportedly fork out some £20m to bring in striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, there should be enough money left over to bring in another defender.

Joe Bryan

Matt Targett was on loan from January but he has now returned to parent club Southampton. Slavisa Jokanovic could yet return for the Saints defender but we understand that the side from West London are seriously eyeing up Bryan.

The 24-year-old would add extra attacking verve to the Cottagers left flank if he is sold by Bristol City, playing behind arguably the most coveted young English talent Ryan Sessegnon.

Bryan would also be able to cover for Sessegnon at times at left midfield too.

Bryan impressed Jokanovic in both games for City against Fulham last season with the side from Ashton Gate winning once and drawing once. There are some playing similarities between the two teams at times too.

City do not wish to lose Bryan and we understand the Robins have made multiple contract offers to the left-back.

However, so far there has been no agreement for Bryan to renew his current deal.

He has one year to go and Bristol City will have to countenance a sale this summer if no new deal is agreed and Fulham make a bid that matches what Steve Lansdown and Mark Ashton deem acceptable.

Last year Lansdown told BBC Points West that it would take £10m to gain Bryan's signature because he had come through the City academy. A similar price would surely be given this summer.

Burnley had been reported as leading the race for Bryan but sources in Lancashire have played down the chances of the Bristolian heading north.

Bryan would not turn down the chance to play in the Premier League. And the EFL Community Player of the Year for 2017-18 will have impressed suitors over the last year with his interests and pursuits away from the pitch.

Joe Bryan of Bristol City in action with Kieron Freeman of Sheffield United

Regardless of whether Fulham's interest develops, Bristol City are already in the market for a new left back themselves.

The Robins are losing Hordur Magnusson who has agreed a deal to join CSKA Moscow in a switch that will commence from 1 July. The Russian side are waiting until after the World Cup to announce the deal.

City have targeted a new full-back to replace him, with any move for Bryan only accelerating those plans.

Sam McQueen has been strongly linked with City in the last few weeks.

Bristol Live understands that Lloyd Kelly is set for more senior games next season but head coach Lee Johnson wants another option to compete for the left-back berth still.

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Our information is that City want a top player in the position to really push Kelly.

Meanwhile, the club are hoping to keep Bobby Reid but we understand that there is little chance of a new contract being agreed this summer. That will only heighten the chances of a sale later in the window.

However, there is more hope that Marlon Pack will put pen to paper later in the summer when contract negotiations begin.